Priority Pass is a membership that gives you access to airport lounges around the world, and several credit cards include it as a benefit
Priority Pass is not run by credit card companies — it is a separate membership program that lounges choose to accept. When a credit card includes Priority Pass, the card issuer pays your membership fee as part of the card's benefits package. You get a Priority Pass membership number, use it to enter participating lounges at airports you travel through, and the card company covers the annual cost.
The catch is that not all Priority Pass memberships are the same. The program has three tiers: Standard (limited visits per year), Plus (more visits), and Prestige (unlimited visits). Most credit cards that include Priority Pass offer either the Standard or Prestige tier. A few offer Plus. The tier matters because once you hit your annual visit limit on Standard or Plus, you pay out of pocket for additional lounge visits that year.
Priority Pass lounges are not airline lounges. They are independently operated spaces in airports, often run by Priority Pass itself or by restaurant and hospitality companies. Some are excellent; some are basic. The lounge quality varies by airport and by location within the airport. You can search the Priority Pass website or app to see which lounges are near your gate before you travel.
Key Takeaways
- Priority Pass membership is included with certain premium credit cards, meaning the card issuer pays the annual membership fee instead of you.
- Most credit cards offer either Standard tier (limited visits per year) or Prestige tier (unlimited visits), and you pay per visit once you exceed your annual limit on Standard.
- Priority Pass lounges are independent airport lounges, not airline lounges, and their quality and amenities vary widely by airport and location.
- You can bring one or two guests with you into most Priority Pass lounges, though some cards limit guest visits or charge a fee per guest after a certain number.
Credit Cards That Include Priority Pass Prestige
Prestige tier (unlimited visits) is the most valuable version of Priority Pass because you do not hit a visit limit during the year. Cards that include Prestige tier tend to be high-end cards with annual fees of $400 or more. The card issuer absorbs the Priority Pass cost as one benefit among several others.
Examples include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the American Express Platinum Card, and the Citi Prestige Card. Each of these cards charges an annual fee, offers other travel benefits (such as travel credits or airport lounge access through other programs), and includes Priority Pass Prestige as one component. The Priority Pass benefit alone does not justify the annual fee for most people, but it adds value if you travel frequently and use lounges regularly.
Before you open one of these cards, check the current benefits on the card issuer's website. Credit card benefits change, and a card that included Priority Pass last year may not include it this year, or the tier may have changed. The card issuer's official page is the only source that reflects what you actually receive.
Credit Cards That Include Priority Pass Standard or Plus
Standard and Plus tiers come with a limited number of lounge visits per year — typically 10 visits for Standard and 10 to 15 for Plus, though these numbers vary by card and change over time. Once you use your allotted visits, additional visits cost $32 to $35 per person out of pocket for the rest of that calendar year.
Cards with Standard or Plus tier tend to have lower annual fees than Prestige cards, often in the $95 to $250 range. Some cards in this category include the Capital One Venture X Card and certain versions of the American Express Gold Card, though the specific tier and number of visits included changes by card and by year.
If you travel infrequently or use lounges only a few times per year, Standard or Plus tier may be enough. If you travel monthly or more, you will likely exceed your visit limit and pay per visit for the rest of the year, which reduces the value of the benefit.
How to Use Your Priority Pass Benefit
Once your credit card arrives, you will receive information about how to register for Priority Pass. You typically go to the Priority Pass website, enter your card details, and create an account. The registration process takes a few minutes. After you register, you receive a membership number and can read the Priority Pass app.
When you arrive at an airport with a Priority Pass lounge, open the app, search for lounges near your gate, and check the hours and current wait time. Some lounges require you to show your membership card or app at the entrance; others scan a QR code. Most lounges allow you to bring one or two guests at no extra charge, though some charge a fee per guest after the first one, and a few charge for all guests. The app tells you the guest policy for each lounge.
Priority Pass lounges typically offer seating, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and food and beverages. The quality of food ranges from snacks and coffee to hot meals, depending on the lounge. Some lounges have showers, which is useful on long layovers. You do not need to book in advance; you straightforward show up during operating hours.
Guest Policies and Limitations
Most Priority Pass lounges allow you to bring one or two guests for free when you are present. Some lounges charge a fee per guest ($25 to $35 per person) after the first guest, and a few charge for all guests. The guest policy is set by each individual lounge, not by Priority Pass itself, so it varies.
If you are traveling with family or colleagues, check the lounge's guest policy in the app before you arrive. If the lounge charges for guests and you want to avoid the fee, you can look for a different lounge nearby or decide whether the fee is worth it for that particular visit.
Some credit cards also limit how many guest visits you can use per year before charging a fee. For example, a card might allow 10 primary visits and 5 free guest visits per year, then charge $35 per guest visit after that. Read your card's Priority Pass terms to understand your specific guest limits.
Priority Pass vs. Airline Lounge Access
Priority Pass lounges are different from airline lounges. Airline lounges are operated by the airline itself and are usually reserved for first-class passengers, elite frequent flyer members, or passengers who pay for day passes. Some credit cards include airline lounge access (such as American Express Platinum's access to certain American Express Centurion Lounges), and some include both Priority Pass and airline lounge access.
Priority Pass is valuable because it works at thousands of lounges worldwide, regardless of which airline you are flying. If you fly multiple airlines or travel internationally, Priority Pass gives you consistent lounge access. If you fly primarily one airline and have elite status with that airline, you may already have access to that airline's lounges and may not need Priority Pass as much.
Many travelers use both: they use their airline's lounge when available and use Priority Pass when they are flying an airline that does not offer them lounge access or when they are at an airport where their airline's lounge is full or far from their gate.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Card for Priority Pass
Priority Pass is one benefit among many on a premium credit card. Before you open a card primarily for Priority Pass, consider whether you will actually use it. If you travel fewer than four times per year, you may not use enough lounge visits to justify the card's annual fee, even with Priority Pass included.
Look at the full package: the annual fee, the other travel benefits (such as travel credits, baggage allowance, or concierge services), the rewards rate on purchases you actually make, and any sign-up bonuses. Some cards offer a travel credit that offsets part or all of the annual fee, which changes the math. Compare the total value of the card to your actual spending and travel patterns, not just the Priority Pass benefit.
Also check whether the card's Priority Pass tier matches your travel frequency. If you travel monthly, Prestige (unlimited) is worth more than Standard (limited visits). If you travel a few times per year, Standard may be sufficient, and a card with a lower annual fee might be a better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Priority Pass if I am not flying that day?
Most Priority Pass lounges require a same-day airline ticket to enter, regardless of which airline or which class of service. You cannot use Priority Pass to access a lounge just to work or eat at the airport. A few lounges have different policies, so check the specific lounge's rules in the app before you go.
What happens to my Priority Pass membership if I close the credit card?
Your Priority Pass membership ends when your credit card account closes. If you want to keep Priority Pass, you can pay for a membership directly through Priority Pass, but the annual cost is higher than what the credit card issuer pays. Most people let the membership end and reactivate it if they open another card that includes it.
Do I have to pay for Priority Pass if the credit card benefit is included?
No. The credit card issuer pays the Priority Pass membership fee as part of the card's benefits. You do not pay Priority Pass directly. You only pay the credit card's annual fee, which covers Priority Pass along with other benefits.
Can I bring my spouse or children into the lounge?
Yes, most Priority Pass lounges allow you to bring one or two guests for free when you are present. Children typically count as guests. Some lounges charge a fee per guest after the first one. Check the specific lounge's guest policy in the Priority Pass app before you arrive.
What if there is no Priority Pass lounge at my airport?
Not all airports have Priority Pass lounges. Use the Priority Pass app or website to search for lounges at your departure airport before you book travel. If there is no Priority Pass lounge, you may want to look for a credit card that includes a different lounge benefit, such as airline lounge access or access to a lounge network like Lounge Club.